What Are Straight Edge Clamps Used For?


A straight edge clamp also called a contractor clamp or clamp edge is a tool that has multiple uses within a woodworking shop. It is an affordable option for those who don’t have a track saw.

There are so many helpful options when it comes to clamps for your project. Each clamp has a specific purpose and function that separates it from the others. I’ve researched through the internet and put together a quick summary on straight edge clamps.

What are straight edge clamps used for? A straight edge clamp doubles as a straight edge and clamp. It is commonly used for guiding your router for dadoes, circular saw, jigsaw and as an auxiliary fence for your table saw.

Keep reading below to learn more about the straight edge clamps and what it can be used for.

What Are Straight Edge Clamps Used For?

Straight edge clamps are a useful tool to have in your woodworking shop. As the name suggests, they double as a straight edge and a tool that you can use for clamping. It is truly an exceptional tool for getting those straight cuts.

Getting a straight edge clamp will save you from wasting material and poorly hand cutting wood. It can work very well for those who don’t have a high-quality table saw, track saw, or panel saw in their shop. Let’s go over some of the specific uses for straight edge clamps in a woodworking shop.

Straight Edge Uses

You can use the straight edge as a perfect tool for guiding anything straight along a workpiece. This will work for routers, circular saws, jigsaws, and many other tools. Rather than messing around and trying to do a hand cut, the straight edge clamps will allow you to get straight cuts more easily, resulting in less supplies that get wasted.

This tool can also be used as an auxiliary fence for a table saw or bandsaw, which gives it even more use cases. It is easy to attach a straight edge clamp to a fence and remove it quickly when you need to. So instead of having to cut a workpiece to specific dimensions to fit your fence and purchase clamps separately, you can have an all-in-one solution with the straight edge clamps tool.

Clamp Uses

People commonly use clamps around workshops to hold workpieces securely in place. The clamps on these straight edge tools can be used to clamp different workpieces together for routing, carving, or even gluing.

The clamps on the straight edge clamp tools are low profile. This allows for more accurate cuts, grooves and dados. You can also use them as back-to-back clamps. The clamp can be positioned anywhere along the clamp’s rail to ensure the wood that you are working with is accommodated.

Straight edge clamps typically come in three different sizes. You can choose from 24”, 36”, or 50”. If you purchase all three of the sizes, it gives you even more flexibility in terms of how you can use the straight edge clamps.

If you want to add some versatility with your straight edge clamps, you can purchase a back-to-back connector. If you lay two straight edge clamps back-to-back on each other, then you can connect them together.

The low profile jaws of the straight edge clamps allow you to create a clean work surface, free of obstructions. Then, if you want to go back to using each straight edge clamp individually, you can easily undo the back-to-back connector.

Straight edge clamps can be a useful and versatile tool to get a hold of. They may not be as important for the professional who already has a wide assortment of high-quality tools, but for the weekend woodworker who wants to make a small upgrade and stop making poor quality hand cuts, a straight edge clamp will be a fine addition.

How Do You Use A Straight Edge Clamp?

In order to use a straight edge clamp you start by measuring where you want to cut and the distance from the blade/router bit to the end of your tool’s guide that meets the straight edge clamp. Add your measured markings to your workpiece. Then move your adjustable clamp end to match the length of your workpiece.  Then secure the cam style clamp end to your workpiece to lock the clamp on the wood.  Slide your adjustable end to meet the edge of your wood and clamp securely into place. Now you can run your routers or circular saw along the edge for a straight line cut.

Most straight edge clamps are made out of aluminum and include a pair of t-tracks on each clamp as well as an adjustable rule.

The clamps are a low profile so they don’t get in the way of your project. One clamp is adjustable to fit the size of your work piece and the other clamp is a cam style clamp that usually has 3 levels of clamp pressure.

How To Take Apart And Fix Your Straight Edge Clamp.

How Do You Use A Bora Clamp Edge?

In order to use a Bora clamp edge you start by measuring where you want to cut and the distance from the blade/router bit to the end of your tool’s guide that meets the straight edge clamp. Add your measured markings to your workpiece. Then move your adjustable clamp end to match the length of your workpiece.  Then secure the cam style clamp end to your workpiece to lock the clamp on the wood.  Slide your adjustable end to meet the edge of your wood and clamp securely into place. Now you can run your routers or circular saw along the edge for a straight line cut.

How Do You Release A Bora Clamp?

Release the bora clamp by moving the clamping lever up and it will release off your workpiece. It can even be done with one hand.

What Can I Use For A Straight Edge?

In order to achieve a straight edge you can use a track saw, straight edge clamp, scrap piece of wood, and a T-Square.

Rockler Low Profile Straight Edge Clamp

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Best Straight Edge Clamps.

Kevin Nelson

I will always have a special place in my heart for woodworking. I have such fond memories working on projects with my parents on the weekends in the garage growing up. We built tables, shelves, a backyard shed, 10' base for a water slide into the pool, 2 story fort playhouse with a fire pole, and so much more. This woodworking blog allows me to write helpful articles so others can enjoy woodworking as much as we have.

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